Fire hose retrieval winch

ABSTRACT

The fire hose retrieval winch includes an elongated, rigid hose processing channel having a generally C-shaped cross section and open inlet and outlet ends, with the open side forming a lateral hose insertion and removal slot. An electrically powered drive roller draws the hose through the device, with a clamping roller bearing adjustably against the opposite side of the hose to provide tractive friction for the hose against the drive roller. The inlet end of the device may include opposed brushes for mechanically removing foreign matter from a hose passing therethrough, and opposed water nozzles for washing foreign matter from the hose. The hose retrieval winch is relatively small and portable and is installed removably in the existing trailer hitch of a vehicle to draw a deployed fire hose back to the vehicle for placement on the vehicle, with the device simultaneously cleaning the hose during the operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/487,192, filed July 15, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to powered mechanisms forretrieving an article and/or drawing the article therethrough forplacement or storage. More specifically, the present invention relatesto a low voltage, electrically powered winch for retrieving a fire hoseor similar article after use, compressing and cleaning the hose, andpositioning the hose for storage on the back of a fire truck or otherstorage area.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fire and similar hoses tend to have relatively heavy construction, dueto the need for durability and damage resistance as well as theirgenerally large diameters for the hoses can reach diameters of up to sixinches, and a single length of hose may weigh in excess of one hundredpounds. These hoses are generally stacked in the bed of a fire truck ina sinusoidal pattern to permit rapid deployment of the hose at the sceneof a fire.

The retrieval and storage of the hose after use is a different matter,however. The hose has generally become somewhat soiled during use, andhas often picked up dirt, sand, gravel, and other foreign matter.Moreover, there is almost always some water remaining in the hose, whichincreases its weight even further. Even when the water has completelydrained from the hose, the hose must still be compressed to its normallyflattened state when in storage, to provide for compact storage on thetruck bed or elsewhere as desired.

As a result of the above conditions, several mechanized or powereddevices have been developed in the past in attempts to facilitate theretrieval, cleanup, and storage of fire hoses and similar articles.Many, if not most, such devices simply roll the hose up on a centralreel. This is not desirable, as it is not convenient to deploy the hoserapidly for use from a rolled configuration. Other devices have beensuch devices generally do not provide for the takeup and storage of thehose after the cleaning operation. Where such devices do provide forhose takeup and cleaning, they generally either roll the hose, orprovide only a single cleaning method which may not be sufficientlythorough, or are permanently mounted to a vehicle or other structure,which results in the device obstructing other operations when it is notneeded.

Accordingly, a need will be seen for a portable fire hose retrievalwinch, which may be removably secured to the back of a truck or othersuitable area for retrieving a hose for storage. The device itself iseasily removed from its installation point for storage on or in thetruck or other area, as desired. The present fire hose retrieval winchutilizes vehicle electrical power rather than power from the electricalutility grid, as a fire-fighting vehicle is always available when a fireis being fought and electrical grid power may be interrupted due to thefire, or nonexistent. The use of a relatively low voltage power is alsoconsiderably safer than higher voltage from the electrical utility grid,for devices operating in the presence of water. The present retrievalwinch may also provide both mechanical (brushing) and hydraulic (waterspray) cleaning of the hose as it passes through the machine, if sodesired.

A discussion of the related art of which the present inventors areaware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention,is provided below.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,532 issued on Feb. 18, 1975 to Grant M. Ogden, Jr.,titled “Firehose Retractor,” describes a relatively costly and complexdevice having dual opposed drive rollers in at least one embodimentthereof. The upper roller is installed in an openable frame, and swingsopen with the movable portion of the frame for placement of the hosebetween the movable upper roller and the fixed lower drive roller. Whilethe powered hose retraction mechanism itself is portable and removablefrom the back of the vehicle upon which it is installed, Ogden, Jr.requires a permanently installed lateral track having a laterallymovable structure attached thereto, to which his retraction mechanismattaches. In contrast, the present hose retrieval device may be fittedto the top of a length of offset pipe or the like, which is in turnmounted on a swivel base which secures in a conventional receiver typetrailer hitch fitting. This allows the present retrieval devicedistributing the hose. Yet, the entire apparatus is easily removed fromthe receiver hitch for storage. Moreover, Ogden, Jr. utilizes arelatively complex and costly set of bevel gears to power at least one,or both, drive roller(s) in his device. In contrast, the presentretrieval device utilizes an economical sprocket and chain drive system.Even with its economies of construction in comparison to the Ogden, Jr.device, the present device still provides additional utility over theOgden, Jr. device by means of the dual cleaning principles used, i.e.brushes and water washdown. Ogden, Jr. does not disclose any provisionfor water washdown of a hose in his device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,198 issued on Nov. 8, 1977 to Bert D. Whitfield,titled “Fire Hose Winding Apparatus,” describes a frame mounted onrollers or wheels, with a hose takeup reel located at the upper andgenerally central portion thereof. The Whitfield device (1) does notattach to a vehicle; (2) is not electrically powered, but requiresmanual input to the reel; (3) does not pass the hose therethrough fordistribution as desired, but winds the hose on the reel; and (4) doesnot provide any means for cleaning the exterior of the hose. TheWhitfield hose reel is thus not particularly closely

U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,991 issued on Oct. 3, 1978 to Roy E. Johnson, titled“Hose Winding Mechanism,” describes a portable box structure having anelectric takeup motor therein. A reel extends from the box for windingthe hose thereon. However, Johnson does not provide any means forsecuring his device either temporarily or permanently to a vehicle, doesnot pass the hose therethrough for distribution or storage as desired,and does not provide any means for cleaning the hose before it is reeledup. The electrical power source is clearly intended to be from the localelectrical power grid, in accordance with the electrical extension cord16 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings in the Johnson U.S.Patent; no low voltage operation from a vehicle electrical system isdisclosed by Johnson.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,010 issued on Apr. 15, 1980 to Orville J. Knapp,titled “Hose Winding Apparatus,” describes a vertical reel, i.e. adevice for reeling or coiling the hose on a horizontal axis. As in theother reels discussed above, the Knapp device does not pass the hosetherethrough for distributing on a truck or the like for futuredeployment, as does the present invention. Moreover, Knapp does notdisclose any means of attaching his device to a truck or other vehicle,either temporarily or permanently, and he does not disclose any means ofcleaning the hose before it is coiled on the reel. It is also noted thatKnapp prefers to use relatively high voltage for his electrical powersource (column 4, lines 7-9), rather than the low voltage poweravailable from a fire truck or other vehicle, as is used by the presenthose retrieval device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,526 issued on Jun. 10, 1980 to Francis E. Bertram,titled “Hose Washing Machine,” describes an electrically powered machinehaving opposed rotating brushes between which the hose is drawn, andwater and detergent washing of the hose. However, Bertram does notdisclose any means of temporarily securing his device to a fire truck orother vehicle, as provided by the present invention. Most importantly,Bertram does not disclose any powered means for drawing the hose throughhis cleaning machine; the hose apparently must be drawn through theBertram machine by hand. In contrast, the present machine serves toretrieve a deployed hose to pass the hose onto a truck or other storagearea, and simultaneously cleans the hose as it passes through theretrieval winch.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,672 issued on Jul. 28, 1981 to Frank Santos et al.,“Compact Fire Hose And Winder,” describes a relatively complex devicehaving dual opposed reels extending to each side thereof. One sideincludes a pair of opposed oscillating brushes to scrub the oppositesides of the flattened hose as it is drawn therebetween by the takeupreel. Water washdown and a detergent spray are also provided. However,Santos et al. do not provide any means for securing their device to atruck or other vehicle. Such attachment means is unnecessary for such adevice which only reels the hose(s), rather than passing them throughthe device for retrieval on or in a truck bed or the like, as thepresent device does. Moreover, the Santos et al. device utilizes arelatively complex gearbox having two right angle outputs, with oneproviding power for the axle for the two reels and the other providingpower for the oscillating brushes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,135 issued on Jun. 5, 1984 to Robert H. Hayes,titled “Fire Hose Retracting And Flattening Apparatus,” describes aportable device which attaches removably to the back of a truck or thelike, and which includes a motorized drive for pulling a fire hosetherethrough for placement on the truck. However, the Hayes apparatus isquite complex, and includes multiple chain and belt drives. One of thedrives extend to a pair of rollers at the distal end of one of a pair ofopposed, arcuately pivotable arms, which alternately contact the hosedepending upon the passage of a relatively larger diameter couplingtherethrough. The present device does not permit the passage of the hosecouplings therethrough, but is configured to retrieve and clean only onesection of hose at a time. This permits the present device to beconsiderably simpler and more economical than the Hayes apparatus, withthe present device accomplishing more functions (i.e., cleaning the hoseas well, using one or two principles) than the Hayes apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,519 issued on Jun. 3, 1986 to Roy A. Peacock, titled“Hose Roller,” describes a device having a structure primarily formed ofpipe. A fitting adapted for removable installation in a receiver typehitch is provided at the lower end thereof. No powered takeup means isprovided; the Peacock device is manually operated and is as the title ofthe patent indicates, a takeup reel which rolls the hose thereon ratherthan a retrieval device for drawing the hose therethrough for placementon a truck or the like. Moreover, Peacock does not disclose any hosecleaning means with his device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,568 issued on Feb. 9, 1988 to Truman W. Adams,titled “Hose Reel Mechanism,” describes a dual reel system in which alower reel is rotated mechanically by traction from wheels travelingover the surface as the device is rolled over the ground. The upper reelis rotated by hand as desired. The Adams device is adapted for use withgarden hoses and the like, and is not configured for attachment to avehicle and does not include any form of powered operation or means forcleaning off the hose as it is wound upon the reels.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,345 issued on Mar. 22, 1988 to Sammy L. Golden,titled “Hose Reel,” describes a device in which the two opposed reelflanges or side plates are adjustable relative to one another, to adjustthe width of the reel for different widths of hoses. However, both thereel width adjustment and the reel rotation are manually operated; nopowered means is provided. The provision of a reel, rather than drawingthe hose through the device for positioning as desired, the lack ofpowered operation, and the lack of means for cleaning the hose, aredifferent from the present hose retrieval device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,259 issued on Aug. 20, 1991 to Keisuke Ishii et al.,titled “Fire Hose Washing Apparatus,” describes several embodiments of arelatively complex device which draws two or more lengths of connectedhose, and their connectors, through a series of rotary brushes and washstations. The Ishii et al. device includes a series of sensors to detectthe large diameter hose section connectors as they pass through theapparatus, and mechanisms for lifting the rollers, brushes, and othercomponents to provide clearance for the hose connectors. While the Ishiiet al. device is portable, having wheels mounted beneath its cabinet, nomeans is apparent for securing the device removably to a fire truck orthe like for loading the hose into the truck as it is retrieved andcleaned, as provided by the present retrieval winch.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,763 issued on Sep. 27, 1994 to Karl Hafenrichter etal., titled “Apparatus For Drying Hoses, Particularly Fire Hoses,”describes a device which is apparently permanently installed at a firestation or the like, for drying fire hoses after they are returned fromuse at a fire. The Hafenrichter et al. machine includes rollers forwinding the hose through the machine, a heating subassembly to morereadily evaporate water from the hose, suction devices to draw the waterfrom the surface of the hose, and other components. However,Hafenrichter et al. do not disclose any portability for their device,nor do they disclose any means of cleaning a hose using their machine.In fact, the Hafenrichter et al. device teaches away from the presenthose retrieval winch, by removing water from the surface of the hoserather than washing down the surface, as may be accomplished by thepresent invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,480 issued on Oct. 18, 1994 to Edward L. Melgeorge,titled “Method Of Washing Hose,” describes a relatively complex deviceincluding sensors and limit switches for determining when a relativelylarge diameter hose coupling enters the machine, and shutting off themachine. While Melgeorge provides for washing the surface of the hosewith high pressure water, he does not provide any mechanical cleaningmeans (e.g., brushes, etc.), as provided in the present invention. Thus,Melgeorge is required to use relatively high pressure wash water toblast the surface of the hose clean, rather than being able to userelatively low pressure water from a local water supply, as is the casewith the present invention. Moreover, Melgeorge does not disclose anyportability nor means for removably securing his machine to a fire truckor other vehicle, as is provided with the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,559 issued on Nov. 23, 1999 to Justin A. Gnass,titled “Fire Hose Winding Apparatus,” describes a reel comprising fourradially adjustable arms, for adjusting the diameter of the hose spoolor reel which is wound thereon. The apparatus may be secured removablyto the back bumper of a truck or other vehicle as desired, and swivelsto a position adjacent the back of the vehicle for storage when not inuse. The Gnass reel is manually cranked and does not include any meansfor passing the hose therethrough for storage in an adjacent area, norfor cleaning the hose during the process, which features are a part ofthe present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,750 issued on Dec. 3, 2002 to Terry A. Brown, titled“Hose Cleaning Device,” describes a generally cubical box-like structurehaving interchangeable, circular entry and exit ports on opposite sides.A pair of circular wiping seals is installed within the box, along witha centrally located sprayer assembly configured to spray water radiallyinwardly toward a hose being drawn through the device. The Brown deviceteaches away from the present invention, in that Brown cannot useopposed cylindrical rollers to draw a hose having a circular crosssection therethrough. Brown avoids this problem by failing to includeany means whatsoever for drawing a hose through his device; all motivepower for moving a hose through the Brown device, must be appliedexternally by separate means. While Brown implies that his device isportable, he does not disclose any specific means for attaching it toanother device for use. In contrast, the present invention includesmeans for drawing a flat hose therethrough using cylindrical rollers,means for mechanically brushing the hose as well as washing the exteriorsurface of the hose, means for collapsing and compressing the hose forcompact and relatively light weight storage, and means for removablyattaching the device to a fire vehicle or the like.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-119,269 published on May 11, 1989 toShowa Kiki Sangyo KK, titled “Fire Hose Washing Apparatus,” describes(according to the drawings and English abstract) a relatively complexdevice completely contained within a portable cabinet. A dispensing reeland a takeup reel are contained within the cabinet, with a series ofdrive, idler, brush, and other rollers disposed within the cabinet aswell, with a complex series of belts extending therebetween to drive allof the various rollers and reels. No means is apparent for mounting thedevice upon a fire fighting vehicle, nor for dispensing the hosetherefrom onto or into the vehicle, as provided by the presentinvention.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-253,869 published on Sep. 9, 1992 toOgura Clutch Co. Ltd., titled “Fire Hose Take-Up Device,” describes(according to the drawings and English abstract) a portable cabinet forrolling the hose on a reel. The disclosure is primarily directed to ameans for avoiding jamming of the motor in the event of excessivetension during the winding and reeling operation, and also a means forwithdrawing the forked hub from the center of the coiled hose after ithas been wound. No means for cleaning the hose, mounting the device on afire fighting or other vehicle, nor for passing the hose through thedevice for distribution and placement, is apparent in the '869 JapanesePatent Publication.

Finally, German Patent Publication No. 4,214,925 published on Oct. 7,1993 to Heinz Bormann, titled “Fire Hose Coiling Machine . . . ,”describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a cabinethaving a pair of takeup reels therein. One of the reels grips the hoseat its centerpoint, and winds the hose thereon toward both endssimultaneously. No means of mounting the device on a fire vehicle or thelike for portability, washing or otherwise cleaning the hose, or passingthe hose through the device for placement and storage in another area,is apparent in the '925 German Patent Publication.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thusa fire hose retrieval winch solving the aforementioned problems isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present fire hose retrieval winch is a relatively compact andportable device which may be secured removably to the structure of afire truck or other vehicle for use. Notwithstanding its compact sizeand portability, the present fire hose winch is a multifunction device,i.e., it serves to draw a deployed hose back to the truck or vehicle forrepositioning and storage thereon or therein, and also cleans theexterior surface of the hose using brushes and/or water washdown, asdesired.

The primary structure of the present hose winch comprises an elongated,rigid channel having a generally C-shaped cross section and open inletand outlet ends, with the open side of the channel forming a lateralhose insertion and removal slot in the device. A drive motor andcontroller are located in a separate structure beneath the primary hoseprocessing channel, with the motor and controller preferably receivingpower from the conventional twelve volt DC electrical system of thevehicle to which the device is temporarily secured. A mounting standremovably attaches to the bottom of the device beneath the motor andpower supply therefor, with the opposite, lower end of the mountingstand including a fitting for removably securing the stand to aconventional receiver type trailer hitch socket on a vehicle.

The drive motor operates a transverse drive roller in the hose channelby means of a chain drive. A non-driven clamping roller is adjustablypositioned slightly above and ahead (in the sense of hose travel throughthe device) of the drive roller, and is spring loaded to apply pressuretoward the drive roller to grip a hose or other object therebetween. Thespring pressure allows relatively small foreign objects (e.g., gravel,etc.) which may have adhered to the hose, to pass through the rollerswithout damage to the device or to the hose. Finally, a non-drivensupport roller extends across the interior of the hose channel towardthe inlet end of the device to support the hose at that location.

The inlet end of the device may include opposed, replaceable upper andlower brushes removably installed thereacross, to brush off anysubstantial foreign matter from the upper and lower surfaces of the hoseas it enters the device. An upper and a lower spray nozzle arepositioned within the channel at the brush location, to wash down therespective surfaces of the hose. Water may be supplied by means of aconventional garden hose or the like using water from a standardmunicipal supply, or other source as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a fire hose retrievalwinch according to the present invention, showing its installation onthe back of a fire engine hose truck and its general operation.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of the present fire hoseretrieval winch, showing an alternative installation on the back of alight truck and its operation thereon.

FIG. 3 is a detailed left side elevation view of the upper portion ofthe fire hose retrieval winch of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing various detailsthereof.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view in section of the fire hoseretrieval winch of FIGS. 1 through 3, showing further internal details.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention comprises a portable fire hose retrieval winchconfigured for removable installation upon a fire truck or othervehicle, for cleaning and retrieving lengths of fire hose after theyhave been deployed at a fire. FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings provideenvironmental perspective views of the present fire hose retrievalwinch, designated by the reference numeral 10 throughout the drawings.In FIG. 1, the present hose retrieval winch 10 is shown installed to aconventional receiver hitch socket H on the back of a fire engine E hosetruck, while in FIG. 2 the winch 10 is shown installed to an essentiallyidentical receiver hitch socket H extending from the back of a pickup orlight truck T.

The present retrieval winch 10 comprises an elongate fire hose transferhousing 12 having an open hose inlet end 14 and opposite open hoseoutlet end 16, the housing 12 being configured to pass a length of firehose F therethrough to return the hose F to the vehicle (e.g., fireengine E of FIG. 1, pickup truck T with open bed as shown in FIG. 2,etc.) or other storage area where it may be placed for future use. Thepresent retrieval winch 10 may also be used to clean the exteriorsurface of the hose F as it passes through the housing 12, as describedfurther below.

FIGS. 3 and 4 provide more detailed views of the structure of thepresent retrieval winch 10, with FIG. 3 providing a view of the exteriorof the device and FIG. 4 being a cross sectional view showing theinterior of the device. The hose transfer housing 12 through which thefire hose F passes comprises a closed first wall 18 having oppositelower and upper edges, respectively 20 and 22, from which opposite lowerand upper panels, respectively 24 and 26, extend. The two panels 24 and26 each have a flange extending therefrom opposite the first wall 18,respectively lower flange 28 from the lower panel 24 and upper flange 30from the upper panel 26. The two flanges 28 and 30 do not extendcompletely across this side of the hose transfer housing 12, but definea permanently open hose insertion and removal slot 32 therebetween,which extends the entire length of the housing 12.

The hose transfer housing 12 includes a motorized drive roller 34,disposed upon an axle 36 which extends laterally between the first wall18 and the opposite lower flange 28. The opposite ends of the axle 36are supported in positionally fixed bearings 38, one of which isillustrated in the external view of the device in FIG. 3. The driveroller 34 preferably includes a cover or coating 40 having a highcoefficient of friction, e.g. a textured rubber, etc., in order toprovide good grip against a hose F passing thereover.

The drive roller 34 is powered by an electric motor 42, which is housedwithin a motor and controller housing 44 permanently secured beneath thehose transfer housing 12. The motor and controller housing 44 alsocontains an electronic control device 46 for the motor 42, which acceptselectrical power and controls the speed and torque of the motor 42depending upon the load imposed thereon. While various sources ofelectrical power may be used to power the present invention, it ispreferred that a relatively low voltage power source be used due to therelatively wet conditions generally encountered when washing down andhandling fire hose after its use. The twelve volt nominal electricalpower system of the typical vehicle, with which the present hoseretrieval winch 10 is used, is ideal for powering the motor 42.Electrical connectors and lines between motor vehicles and otherdevices, e.g. trailers, etc., are well known and conventional, and maybe used to connect the electrical system of the vehicle to the drivemotor of the present hose retrieval winch 10.

Various couplers, transmissions, or linkages may be used to transferrotation from the drive motor 42 to the drive roller 34, e.g. geartrains, belts, etc. FIG. 4 illustrates a drive motor sprocket 48 anddrive roller sprocket 50, with a roller chain 52 connecting the twosprockets 48 and 50. The sprocket and chain assembly 48 through 52 isshown in broken lines in FIG. 4, as it is located on the hidden side ofthe hose transfer housing first wall 18 and the motor and controllerhousing 44.

Some means must be provided to grip the fire hose F securely against thedrive roller 34, in order for the drive roller to impart its rotationaltorque to the hose F to draw the hose F through the hose retrieval winch10. This problem is solved by means of an adjustably positionablepressure or pinch roller 54, which is urged by the force of a springmechanism toward the drive roller 34 to grip the fire hose Ftherebetween. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate this mechanism in detail. Thepressure roller 54 is mounted on a laterally disposed axle 56, whichrides in pressure axle capture slots 58 formed in the first wall 18 andupper flange 30 of the hose transfer housing 12. The pressure rolleraxle 56, and thus the pressure roller 54, may move in accordance withthe limitations of the slots 58 and the spring mechanism describedbelow, to adjust the pressure against the hose F and drive roller 34.

A pressure roller adjustment shaft 60 is installed laterally across thetop of the upper panel 26 of the hose transfer housing 12, with apressure roller adjustment link 62 immovably affixed to the oppositefirst and second ends 64 thereof. Only a single shaft end 64 andcorresponding link 62 are visible in the side elevation view of FIG. 3,but these components are shown in smaller scale in the perspective viewsof FIGS. 1 and 2. The two links 62 extend downwardly respectivelyoutside the first wall 18 and upper flange 30 of the hose transferhousing 12, and each includes a pressure roller axle end capture slot 66therein. The slots 66 capture the respective ends of the pressure rolleraxle 56 therein. Thus, as the pressure roller adjustment shaft 60rotates, the two opposed links 62 also rotate in unison therewith, withthe captured pressure roller axle 56 being driven by the slots 66 of thetwo links 62 and carried back and forth in the slots 58 formed in thefirst wall 18 and upper flange 30 of the hose transfer housing 12,causing the pressure roller 54 to move toward or away from the driveroller 34.

A pressure roller adjustment handle 68 is immovably affixed generallynormal to the pressure roller adjustment shaft 60, and extendstherefrom. A handle stop 70 may be provided between the handle 68 andthe upper panel 26 to provide space between the handle 68 and upperpanel 26, as well as to limit the movement of the pressure roller 54toward the drive roller 34. A rocker arm 72 extends from the pressureroller adjustment shaft 60, generally opposite the handle 68. Thisrocker arm 72 bears against a compression spring 74, which is capturedbetween the distal end of the rocker arm 72 and the upper panel 26 ofthe hose transfer housing 12 (or between the arm 72 and a mountingstructure for the pressure roller adjustment mechanism). A guard (notshown) may be installed about the spring 74, if desired.

The compression spring 74 urges the rocker arm 72 upwards, therebyapplying a clockwise force upon the pressure roller adjustment shaft 60.This in turn tends to rotate the two pressure roller adjustment links 62in a clockwise direction, with their lower ends and pressure roller axleend capture slots 66 being urged to the left in FIG. 3. This forces thepressure roller axle 56, and thus the pressure roller 54, toward thedrive roller 34, thereby securely gripping a fire hose or the liketherebetween during operation:

The above described mechanism results in a substantially uniformgripping pressure upon a hose or the like passing between the tworollers 34 and 54. However, it also compensates for any relatively smallobstructions or debris which may have adhered to the hose, and whichwere not removed during the hose cleaning process. In the event thatsome obstruction (e.g., a piece of gravel which has adhered to the hose,etc.) passes between the two rollers 34 and 54, the obstruction willforce the pressure roller 54 away from the drive roller 34, causing thepressure roller adjustment linkage to rotate slightly in acounterclockwise direction and further compressing the spring 74. Whenthe obstruction has passed, the compression spring 74 returns themechanism to its normal state.

The above described mechanism serves to draw a fire hose F or the likethrough the hose transfer housing 12, while simultaneously adjusting thegripping pressure on the hose and compensating for any obstructions ordebris which may have adhered to the hose. However, the presentinvention is also capable of cleaning the hose as it passes through thehose transfer housing 12, using two different cleaning principles if sodesired.

The first cleaning means encountered as a hose passes through the devicecomprises a pair of brushes, respectively a lower brush 76 and anopposite upper brush 78. These two brushes extend from the inlet end 14of the hose transfer housing 12, respectively secured within or adjacentto the lower panel 24 and upper panel 26 of the housing 12. The brushes76 and 78 are removably secured in place by bolts 82, and the brushassembly may include one or more spacer blocks 84 to position thebristles with proper spacing to bear against a hose passing therebetweenwith the proper pressure and scrubbing action. Alternatively, clips orother attachment means (not shown) may be used to secure the brushes 76and 78 in place, rather than the bolts 82 illustrated. The two brushes76 and 78 remain stationary relative to the housing 12 structure, withthe movement of the hose between the two brushes 76 and 78 as the hoseis drawn through the housing 12, resulting in relative movement betweenthe hose and the bristles of the brushes 76 and 78 to scrub the surfaceof the hose.

A water washdown may also be provided in addition to or in lieu of thebrush cleaning means described above, if so desired. The hose transferhousing 12 includes a lower wash nozzle 86 and an opposite upper washnozzle 88 respectively extending from the lower panel 24 and upper panel26 to the interior of the housing 12 and respectively through the basesof the lower and upper brushes 76 and 78, as shown in FIG. 4 of thedrawings. An idler roller 90 may be provided across the lower portion ofthe hose transfer housing 12, adjacent the inlet end 14 of the device,in order to support a fire hose F passing into the device. This isespecially critical if the brushes 76 and 78 are not installed. The twonozzles 86 and 88 receive water from respective lower and upper fittings92 and 94, which are interconnected by a length of hose 96 (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) disposed externally to the hose transfer housing 12 inorder to avoid contact or interference with a fire hose F or otherinternal components within the housing 12. A conventional garden hose Gor the like may be connected to the lower nozzle fitting 92, with aconventional shutoff valve 98 being placed between the end of the hose Gand the lower fitting 92. The nozzles 86 and 88 pass through the basesof the brushes 76 and 78 and are oriented toward the inlet end 14 of thehose transfer housing 12, to apply a water spray in the direction of theincoming hose as it passes through the inlet end 14 of the device andbetween the two brushes 76 and 78. If water washdown is not desired, thegarden hose G may remain unattached to the device, or the shutoff valve98 may remain closed, if so desired.

The above described fire hose retrieval winch assembly 10 is relativelycompact and light weight, and lends itself well to portability. It isanticipated that the present winch device 10 will be carried within astorage compartment on a fire truck and deployed after a fire has beenput out, in order to gather and draw the deployed hose back to the truckand clean the hose before it is replaced on the truck. Accordingly, someform of temporary mounting or attachment means is required for thepresent hose retrieval winch 10.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a vehicle attachment assembly 100 which may beprovided and used with the hose transfer housing assembly 12. In FIG. 1the assembly 100 is shown secured to a conventional receiver hitchsocket or receptacle H extending from the rear of a fire engine E hosetruck, while in FIG. 2 the assembly is shown secured to such a hitchsocket H extending from the rear of a light pickup truck T. However, thehose retrieval winch 10 and its attachment assembly 100 is the same inboth cases.

The vehicle attachment assembly 100 essentially comprises a vehicleattachment post 102 having an upper end 104 which secures removably tothe hose transfer housing 12, and an opposite lower end 106 whichsecures removably to the fire engine E, truck T or other vehicle. Themedial portion 108 of the post 102 includes an offset bend therein, ormore correctly, a pair of opposite offset bends which result in theupper portion 104 being parallel to the lower portion 106, but axiallyoffset therefrom. This provides clearance from the vehicle structure,and also allows the upper end 104 with its attached hose transferhousing 12 to be positioned or swung in an arc defined by the length ofthe medial offset portion 108 of the post 102, generally as shown by thealternate position of the mechanism shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings. While only a single alternate position is illustrated inFIG. 1 for clarity in the drawing Fig., it will be understood that themechanism 10 may be pivoted or swung in either direction from itscentral position shown in solid lines, limited only by the vehiclestructure to which it is attached.

The attachment of the upper end portion 104 of the post 102 to the hosetransfer housing 12 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. As the motorand controller housing 44 is secured beneath the hose transfer housing12, the upper end 104 of the post 102 actually secures to the motor andcontroller housing 44, rather than directly to the hose transfer housing12. However, the effect is the same, as all of the components 12, 44,and 102 are rigidly and immovably secured together. The upper endportion 104 of the attachment post 102 includes a mounting plate 110extending thereacross, with the plate 110 having a series of threadedstuds 112 extending upwardly therefrom. A matching series ofconventional attachment holes or passages (not shown) is providedthrough the floor of the motor and controller housing 44. The hosetransfer housing 12 and its attached motor and controller housing 44 areplaced atop the attachment post mounting plate 110, and removablysecured thereto by a corresponding series of wing nuts 114 which engagethe studs 112. The wing nuts 114 are easily accessible through the openends of the motor and controller housing 44, enabling the hose transferhousing 12 and motor and controller housing 44 to be quickly and easilyinstalled upon or removed from the attachment post mounting plate 110 asdesired.

The lower end 106 of the attachment post 102 secures removably to areceiver hitch attachment fitting 116, which in turn secures removablyto a conventional receiver hitch socket H provided on the fire engine Eor other truck or vehicle T. The fitting 116 includes a generallyvertical socket or collar 118, into which the lower end 106 of theattachment post 102 may be inserted. A thumb screw 120 passes through athreaded hole in the collar 118 to secure the extreme lower end 106 ofthe attachment post 102 adjustably therein. The clamping pressure of thethumb screw 120 may be adjusted as desired to adjust the frictionalresistance to rotation of the attachment post 102, but allowing the post102 to swivel as required.

The present fire hose retrieval winch 10 greatly facilitates theretrieval and replacement of a fire hose on a fire vehicle after thehose has been deployed at a fire. The hose transfer housing 12 and itsvehicle attachment assembly 100 are removed from their storage area(s)on the fire truck or other vehicle, and the attachment assembly 100 issecured to the receiver hitch H of the engine E, truck T or othervehicle with which the winch 10 is to be used. The hose transfer housing12 is then secured atop the mounting plate 110 which is affixed to theupper end 104 of the attachment post 102, if it has not previously beensecured to the post 102 prior to installing the attachment assembly 100on the vehicle. An electrical power source, e.g. conventional electricalconnection from the engine E or truck T to which the transfer housing 12and attachment assembly 100 have been installed, is connected to thewinch 10 to power the electric drive motor 42 therein. Finally, a watersupply, e.g. conventional garden hose G, may be connected to the lowernozzle fitting 92 with its hose inlet, if water washdown of the firehose F is to be used.

The fire hose retrieval winch 10 is used by placing the leading portionof a fire hose F through the hose insertion and removal slot 32 of thehose transfer housing 12, with the conventional rigid hose couplingextending slightly beyond the outlet end 16 of the transfer housing 12.Conventional fire hoses have a flat cross section in their relaxed statewhen they are not filled with water, which permits more compact storageof a lengthy section or several sections of hose. This flat hoseconfiguration permits the fire hose F to be inserted easily within thehose insertion and removal slot 32 of the hose transfer housing 12, withthe various brushes and rollers of the housing 12 bearing against theflat surfaces of the flattened fire hose F. The fire hose F ispositioned between the two brushes 76 and 78, over the idler supportroller 90, and between the drive roller 34 and pressure roller 54. Thepressure roller adjustment handle 68 is lifted to draw the pressureroller 54 away from the drive roller 34, to facilitate insertion of thefire hose F.

Once the fire hose F has been positioned within the hose transferhousing 12, a retaining latch 122 may be secured in place across thehose insertion and removal slot 32 between the two flanges 28 and 30.The latch 122 is secured upon a pivot pin 124 to the lower flange 28,and pivots upwardly to hook to a pin 126 extending from the upper flange30. It should be noted that the latch 122 does nothing to secure theupper and lower portions of the hose transfer housing 12 together, asall of the wall and panel components forming the housing 12, i.e. thefirst wall 18, lower and upper panels 24 and 26, and lower and upperflanges 28 and 30, are rigidly secured to one another (e.g., welded,forged as a single, unitary structure, etc.) and do not move relative toone another. The purpose of the latch 122 is only to prevent the firehose F from “walking” or working laterally from the rollers and out ofthe gap or slot 32 as it passes longitudinally through the transferhousing 12. A second and/or third latch (not shown) may be installednear the outlet and/or inlet end(s) 16 and/or 14 of the assembly, if sodesired.

Once the fire hose F has been installed within the housing 12 and theretaining latch 122 closed, the water supply may be turned on by openingthe shutoff valve 98 and/or opening the faucet or outlet to which thehose G has been connected, if water washdown of the fire hose F isdesired. The drive roller motor 42 is actuated by an electrical switch128 extending from the housing 12, or from another structure (not shown)attached to the housing 12. This structure would be on the opposite sideof the housing 12 as it is shown in the drawings, and may include achain guard disposed about the drive motor sprocket 48, drive rollersprocket 50, and chain 52. The switch 128 is preferably spring loaded toa normally open or off condition, requiring the switch to be held in theclosed position in order to keep the drive motor 42 and drive roller 34in operation. Preferably, the switch 128 will automatically return toits normally open condition to shut off power to the drive motor 42, ifpressure is released by the operator. While a toggle switch isillustrated, it should be noted that other switch configurations, e.g.rocker, pushbutton, etc., may be used if so desired.

The combination of the brushes 76 and 78 and water washdown provided bythe nozzles 86 and 88, remove substantially all of the dirt, grime, anddebris which typically accumulate on the exterior covering of fire hoseswhen in use. The drive roller 34 and its opposite pressure roller 54 notonly serve to draw the fire hose F through the hose transfer housing 12,but also compress the hose F to force any remaining water from the hose,where it escapes from the trailing end of the hose. The fire hose F,with all water removed, is capable of being stored much more readily dueto the lightened weight and more compact volume.

As the cleaned fire hose F passes from the outlet end 16 of the hosetransfer housing 12, a firefighter or other person may gather the firehose F and position it for storage in the back of the fire engine E,truck T or other vehicle as desired, where it is ready for deployment onthe next occasion where use is required. The powered hose retrievalmechanism greatly facilitates the gathering of the relatively heavyhose, requiring that only a relatively short length of the hoseextending from the hose transfer housing 12, actually be lifted andmanipulated. This enables the hose to be placed for storage much morerapidly than when the entire length of hose, weighing perhaps in excessof one hundred pounds, must be handled manually. The swiveling action ofthe vehicle attachment assembly 100 further facilitates the handling ofthe hose, by allowing the hose transfer housing 12 to swing in an arc toredirect the fire hose F exiting the outlet end 16 of the transferhousing 12 as desired.

When the length of fire hose F has passed through the hose transferhousing 12, the hose coupling at the trailing end of the hose preventsfurther passage of the hose through the machine. At this point, theoperator releases the switch 128 to stop the drive roller motor 42,opens the hose retainer latch(es) 122, and removes the trailing portionof the fire hose F from the machine for placement in the fire truck T.The process is repeated as many times as necessary to clean and retrieveall of the previously deployed fire hose for storage on the truck. Onceall of the fire hose F has been retrieved and repositioned on the truck,the water supply is shut off, the hose disconnected, the electricalsupply disconnected, and the vehicle attachment assembly 100 and hosetransfer housing 12 removed from the engine E, truck T or other vehicleand stored for future use.

In conclusion, the present fire hose retrieval winch provides a muchneeded means for firefighters to retrieve, clean, and store fire hosesafter use. While various other devices have been developed in the pastwith the aim of performing a similar function, the present fire hoseretrieval winch is considerably lighter and more compact than most ofthe devices previously developed. Where relatively light weight andportable devices have been developed in the past, they generally do notprovide all of the functions of the present hose retrieval winch.Accordingly, the present fire hose retrieval winch will find great favoramong firefighters and others who have need to handle relatively largeand massive lengths of hose and who require a portable piece ofequipment for such work.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A fire hose retrieval winch, comprising: an elongate hose transferhousing, having: an elongated upper wall, an elongated lower wall and anelongated side wall joining the upper wall and the lower wall in orderto define an elongated C-shaped channel, the upper wall and the lowerwall each having an elongated edge opposite the side wall; an upperflange depending from the elongated edge of the upper wall parallel tothe side wall; a lower flange rising from the elongated edge of thelower wall parallel to the side wall, the upper and lower flangesdefining an elongated hose insertion and removal slot between the upperand lower flanges, the channel having open opposite ends for passing afire hose through the hose transfer housing; a positionally fixed driveroller axle laterally disposed between the side wall and the lowerflange of the hose transfer housing; a motorized drive roller disposedupon the drive roller axle; an adjustably positionable pressure rolleraxle laterally disposed between the side wall and the upper flange ofthe hose transfer housing; an adjustably positionable pressure rollerdisposed upon the pressure roller axle; and a spring mechanism attachedto the pressure roller and urging the pressure roller toward the driveroller.
 2. The fire hose retrieval winch according to claim 1, furtherincluding: a vehicle attachment assembly, having: a vehicle attachmentpost, having an upper end removably affixed to said hose transferhousing, a medial offset bend portion, and a lower end; and a receiverhitch attachment fitting, removably secured to the lower end of saidvehicle attachment post.
 3. The fire hose retrieval winch according toclaim 2, wherein the lower end of said vehicle attachment post furthercomprises a frictionally adjustable swivel.
 4. The fire hose retrievalwinch according to claim 1, further including: a motor and controllerhousing depending below said hose transfer housing and permanentlyaffixed thereto; an electric motor disposed within said motor andcontroller housing; and power transfer means for transferring powerbetween said electric motor and said drive roller.
 5. The fire hoseretrieval winch according to claim 4, further including a vehicleattachment post, having at least an upper end removably affixed to saidmotor and controller housing.
 6. The fire hose retrieval winch accordingto claim 1, further including: a pressure axle capture slot disposedrespectively in said first wall and in said upper flange of said hosetransfer housing; a laterally disposed pressure roller adjustment shaftatop said upper panel of said hose transfer housing, said pressureroller adjustment shaft further having a first end and a second endopposite said first end; a pressure roller adjustment link immovablyaffixed to each said end of said pressure roller adjustment shaft, andextending therefrom; a pressure roller axle end capture slot disposedwithin each said pressure roller adjustment link, adjustably capturingsaid pressure roller axle therein; a pressure roller adjustment handlegenerally normal and immovably affixed to said pressure rolleradjustment shaft, and extending therefrom; a rocker arm extending fromsaid pressure roller adjustment shaft, opposite said pressure rolleradjustment handle; and a compression spring disposed between said rockerarm and said upper panel of said hose transfer housing, urging saidpressure roller toward said drive roller by means of said rocker arm,said pressure roller adjustment shaft, and each said pressure rolleradjustment link adjustably acting upon said pressure roller axle.
 7. Thefire hose retrieval winch according to claim 1, further including anupper brush and a lower brush each removably disposed adjacent saidinlet end of said hose transfer housing.
 8. The fire hose retrievalwinch according to claim 1, further including an upper spray nozzle anda lower spray nozzle each disposed adjacent the inlet end of said hosetransfer housing.
 9. The fire hose retrieval winch according to claim 8,further including an externally disposed transfer hose connecting saidlower spray nozzle to said upper spray nozzle.
 10. The fire hoseretrieval winch according to claim 1, further including at least onehose retaining latch selectively positioned across said hose insertionand removal slot.
 11. A fire hose retrieval winch, comprising: a hosetransfer housing; and a vehicle attachment assembly, having: a vehicleattachment post having an upper end removably affixed to said hosetransfer housing, a medial offset bend portion, and a lower end; and areceiver hitch attachment fitting, removably secured to the lower end ofsaid vehicle attachment post.
 12. The fire hose retrieval winchaccording to claim 11, wherein the lower end of said vehicle attachmentpost comprises a frictionally adjustable swivel.
 13. The fire hoseretrieval winch according to claim 11, further including: a motor andcontroller housing depending below said hose transfer housing andpermanently affixed thereto; an electric motor disposed within saidmotor and controller housing; and power transfer means for transferringpower between said electric motor and said drive roller.
 14. The firehose retrieval winch according to claim 13, wherein the upper end ofsaid vehicle attachment post is removably affixed to said motor andcontroller housing.
 15. The fire hose retrieval winch according to claim11, wherein said hose transfer housing further includes: an open hoseinlet end; an open hose outlet end, opposite said hose inlet end; aclosed first wall; a closed lower panel extending from said first wall,and immovably affixed thereto; a closed upper panel extending from saidfirst wall, immovably affixed thereto and opposite said lower panel; alower flange immovably affixed to and extending from said lower panelopposite said first wall; an upper flange immovably affixed to anddepending from said upper panel opposite said first wall; said lowerflange and said upper flange defining an elongate, permanently open hoseinsertion and removal slot therebetween; a positionally fixed driveroller axle laterally disposed between said first wall and said lowerflange of said hose transfer housing; a motorized drive roller disposedupon said drive roller axle; an adjustably positionable pressure rolleraxle laterally disposed between said first wall and said upper flange ofsaid hose transfer housing; an adjustably positionable pressure rollerdisposed upon said pressure roller axle; and a spring mechanism, urgingsaid pressure roller toward said drive roller.
 16. The fire hoseretrieval winch according to claim 15, further including: a pressureaxle capture slot disposed respectively in said first wall and in saidupper flange of said hose transfer housing; a laterally disposedpressure roller adjustment shaft atop said upper panel of said hosetransfer housing, said pressure roller adjustment shaft further having afirst end and a second end opposite said first end; a pressure rolleradjustment link immovably affixed to each said end of said pressureroller adjustment shaft, and extending therefrom; a pressure roller axleend capture slot disposed within each said pressure roller adjustmentlink, adjustably capturing said pressure roller axle therein; a pressureroller adjustment handle generally normal and immovably affixed to saidpressure roller adjustment shaft, and extending therefrom; a rocker armextending from said pressure roller adjustment shaft, opposite saidpressure roller adjustment handle; and a compression spring disposedbetween said rocker arm and said upper panel of said hose transferhousing, urging said pressure roller toward said drive roller by meansof said rocker arm, said pressure roller adjustment shaft, and each saidpressure roller adjustment link adjustably acting upon said pressureroller axle.
 17. The fire hose retrieval winch according to claim 15,further including an upper brush and a lower brush each removablydisposed adjacent said inlet end of said hose transfer housing.
 18. Thefire hose retrieval winch according to claim 15, further including anupper spray nozzle and a lower spray nozzle each disposed adjacent saidinlet end of said hose transfer housing.
 19. The fire hose retrievalwinch according to claim 18, further including an externally disposedtransfer hose connecting said lower spray nozzle to said upper spraynozzle.
 20. The fire hose retrieval winch according to claim 15, furtherincluding at least one hose retaining latch selectively positionedacross said hose insertion and removal slot.